Review: Forty Acres

Forty Acres by Dwayne Alexander Smith

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



DESCRIPTION:
What if overcoming the legacy of American slavery meant bringing back that very institution? A young black attorney is thrown headlong into controversial issues of race and power in this page-turning and provocative new novel.

Martin Grey, a smart, talented black lawyer working out of a storefront in Queens, becomes friendly with a group of some of the most powerful, wealthy, and esteemed black men in America. He’s dazzled by what they’ve accomplished, and they seem to think he has the potential to be as successful as they are. They invite him for a weekend away from it all—no wives, no cell phones, no talk of business. But far from home and cut off from everyone he loves, he discovers a disturbing secret that challenges some of his deepest convictions…

Martin finds out that his glittering new friends are part of a secret society dedicated to the preservation of the institution of slavery—but this time around, the black men are called “Master.” Joining them seems to guarantee a future without limits; rebuking them almost certainly guarantees his death. Trapped inside a picture-perfect, make-believe world that is home to a frightening reality, Martin must find a way out that will allow him to stay alive without becoming the very thing he hates.

A novel of rage and compassion, good and evil, trust and betrayal, Forty Acres is the thought-provoking story of one man’s desperate attempt to escape the clutches of a terrifying new moral order.




REVIEW:

I thought the concept of this novel was very interesting. I read the novel quickly and was not bored. I have read some reviews which said the story is unrealistic. I did not find the story any more unrealistic than the REALITY & horrors and the fact that slavery slavery has, and does exist in many cultures over history. People are slaves right now. That seems pretty realistic to me.

Injustice and inequality has and will always exist. The most unbelievable part is that the group accepted Martin as like minded (agreeing with slavery of whites) when he was so obviously not prejudice. That far from ruined the story though.

I found it refreshing that Martin realized that these white people being abducted and such (don't want to spoil the story)…. But Martin, like many today, realize that the sins of the past were committed in the past and that not all white nor black people hold current people accountable for what their ancestors done. (Ancestors they did not even know of course).

I could not put the book down. It was one of the best books I have read this year. It would have been easy for Martin to go along and live the good live, bury his morals as many would have done.

This story was also very moving. I always get upset when reading how other humans have been abused and misused throughout history. Many raves (& women) have and continue to suffer injustice at the hands of the more powerful, stronger monsters in this world. I love books where someone like Martin is not willing to go along with the gang because he knows right from wrong . Even though his own life is in danger, he still refuses to do the horrid things expected of him from his "new friends".

I also liked the bravery of his wife to not just go along with the innocent mindedness expected of the women. She is an intelligent woman, a strong character, who doesn't just accept lies at fave value.


This novel was very shocking and original. I was stuck to it and found my heart racing and tearing apart at times in gear for the characters. I highly recommend this book I was provided with to give an honest opinion of. It was an action packed and suspenseful read that was also so heart touching and disturbing on so many levels.






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